Would you like to start the long weekend with a grounding recharge? We’ve got you covered.

Assemble with us to sink your hands in the soil in good company for a plant propagation morning alongside the Friends of Dandenong Valley Parklands and Parks Victoria to support their vital ecological restoration efforts in the Dandenong Valley.

Dandenong Creek, winding from the Dandenong Ranges up in Sassafras out to Port Phillip Bay in Mordialloc, is a critical ecological corridor for biodiversity. You can be part of the care of this significant biolink, supporting countless native plant, fungi, and animal species in these volunteer-led projects to improve the health and resilience of the region through native plant propagation and careful land management.

In this hands-on morning you’ll learn how to propagate native plants in the nursery and techniques to care for revegetated areas across the parklands. The native shrubs and trees we’ll be propagating during this session will go on to support key projects such as: restoring invasive weed infested areas near Corhanwarrabuk wetlands, helping to create native grassland at Koomb Park in a site that collaborates with 16 goats for natural weed control, improving and caring for the remnant bushland of Shepherds Bush, and improving the local native garden designed to encourage and inspire local residents to plant indigenous plants in their home gardens for local biodiversity health.

The Dandenong Valley Parklands are located on Wurundjeri and Bunurong land, and we recognize their deep and enduring connection to these ecosystems. Together, we honour the work of First Peoples and continue the care and regeneration of these landscapes as our shared responsibility in our daily lives.

DETAILS

Location: Dandenong Valley Parklands, 45 minutes from Fitzroy, VIC
Date: Friday 26th September
Time: 8:30 am - 2:30 pm (return time may vary depending on traffic)
Inclusions: Return minibus transport, morning tea (coffee, tea, snacks), and vegetarian sandwiches for lunch from Terror Twilight
Requirements: Appropriate closed footwear and clothing suitable for outdoor activities
Intensity: Easy to moderate
Age Limit: 18+
Cost: Free, registration essential

The Bioassembly visits varied terrains and bioregions to learn, appreciate, and be actively engaged in the health of biodiverse ecosystems within a local context. The Bioassembly is an ongoing ecological restoration platform presented by TERRAIN.

FACILITATORS

Parks Victoria

Parks Victoria is responsible for managing a diverse estate of more than 4 million hectares including 3,000 land and marine parks and reserves making up 18 per cent of Victoria’s landmass, 75 per cent of Victoria’s wetlands and 70 per cent of Victoria’s coastline. Victoria’s parks are home to over 4,300 native plants and around 1,000 native animal species.

Parks Victoria’s estate attracts more than 100 million visits every year and is committed to providing accessible, enjoyable, diverse programs and destinations while protecting and enhancing environmental and cultural values. It is our primary responsibility to ensure parks are healthy and resilient for current and future generations. They work in partnership with other government and non-government organisations and community groups, catchment management authorities, private land owners, friends groups, volunteers, licensed tour operators, lessees, research institutes and the broader community.

Friends of the Dandenong Valley Parklands

Dandenong Valley Parklands are located on Wurundjeri and Bunurong land. The Wurundjeri and Bunurong people are the traditional custodians of the land in which the parklands are located. With deep spiritual connection to the land over thousands of generations, Friends of Dandenong Valley Parklands recognise their significant role in caring for and maintaining the land and waterways.

Today, the parklands extend along the Dandenong Creek from Koomba Park in the north to Corhanwarrabul Wetlands in the south. Friends of Dandenong Valley Parklands was formed in 1989 and is a volunteer community group that works with Parks Victoria to protect and conserve the Dandenong Valley Parklands. The group meets regularly to help restore the natural environment of Jells, Koomba, Norton’s and Bushy Parks, Shepherds Bush and Corhanwarrabul Wetlands.

(Click here to view Dandenong Valley Parklands map)